Oxford Memories (volume 2); A Retrospect After Fifty Years

Paperback | January 8, 2012

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This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1886. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXIII. FELIX, MYNN, COBBETT, AND OTHER VETERANS. William Beldham I saw in his cottage near Farnkam in 1837, and had some hours of conversation with him. He had lived in days when he and Lambert and one or two others had the game sufficiently in their hands, and when bets were so high as to make selling great matches of no very rare occurrence. He said, however, that there was far less selling than was reputed. "You may hear," said the old man, "that I sold matches. I will confess I once was sold myself by two men,--one of whom would not bowl, and the other would not bat, his best,-- and lost ten pounds. The next match, at Nottingham, I joined in selling, and got my money back. But for this once, I could say I never was bought in my life; and this was not for want of offers from C-- and other turfmen, though often I must have been accused. For where it was worth while to buy, no man could keep a character; because to be out without runs or to miss a catch was, by the disappointed betting-men, deemed proof as strong as Holy Writ." Still it was true that some needy Hampshire rustics would have a visit from some noted bettingmen early in the year, who proposed to make things safe for some great event. All buying and selling was at end when talent was more divided, and no one dreams of unfair play at the present time--though my friend Felix did tell me of one, a Baronet too, who once ventured to make a foul proposal to Alfred Mynn, who replied: "Get out of my sight, or, Baronet as you are, I am sure I shall be knocking you down." If Beldham, as I said, could master Brown at fifty-four, it is easy to believe what Fennex said-- that Beldham was by far the best of his day, "hitting quick as lightning all round him, the very model of a batsman ;" and it ...